René L. “Jay” Bouchard – 80 – of 6340 County Route 68 (Crosby Creek Road), Hornell died early Monday morning (March 8, 2021) at his home, following a long illness.
Born in Hartford, CT on August 30, 1940, he was the son of Raymond & Lucille (Berthiaume) Bouchard.
Jay grew up in North Troy, VT where he attended North Troy High School. While in the 10th grade, he transferred to Brothers of the Sacred Heart High School in Pomfret, CT, a religious teaching order. He later graduated from St. Michael’s College in Winooski, VT where he majored in English. Jay earned his Master’s Degree in Education from St. Lawrence University in Canton, NY.
Throughout the years, Jay was employed in various educational positions, including: a teacher in Philadelphia, PA; Vice Principal in Potsdam, NY; Superintendent of Schools in Alfred-Almond; and Superintendent of the Steuben & Allegany County BOCES. He retired in 2004.
A resident of the Hornell area since 1980, Jay had been a communicant of St. Brendan / St. Jude Parish and later a communicant of St. Ignatius Loyola Church. In recent years he was a member of Our Lady of the Valley Parish and a communicant of St. Ann’s Church.
Family was very important to Jay and he relished the frequent visits made to him by his children and grandchildren. He was always the first one up in the wee hours of the morning, but loved his weekend naps. Jay also enjoyed woodworking and spending countless hours “playing” on his tractor.
He was married on June 8, 1966 to the former Joan Converse who died October 15, 2004. He was also preceded in death by his son, André “Andy” Bouchard who died July 11, 2017; his brother , Raymond Bouchard; his son-in-law, Mark Mellencamp.
Surviving are his daughter, Michelle Mellencamp of Carmel, IN; 2 sons, John (Sandi) Bouchard of Ontario, NY and Jacques “Jay” (Janeth) Bouchard of Cocoa, FL; 3 brothers, Peter (Arlene) Bouchard of AZ, Paul Bouchard of Henderson Harbor, NY and Michael (Marty) Bouchard of Post Mills, VT; 2 sisters, Monique Landi of Colebrook, CT and Myrtle Dionne of Hartford, CT; 5 grandchildren, Connor Mellencamp, Kagan Mellencamp, Alexis Bouchard, Sydney Bouchard and Abby Bouchard; several nieces & nephews.
At Jay’s request there will be no prior calling hours. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Monday at 2:00 PM at St. Ann’s Church with final interment in St. Mary’s Cemetery.
Funeral arrangements are in care of the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St., Hornell, NY.
Jay’s family request that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in his name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, PO Box 1000 – Dept. 300, Memphis, TN 38148.
Jay was great guy , always good to me whenever I saw him . My heart goes out to Michelle , John , Jay Jr. and all Jay’s family .
God Bless ,
Tim Lloyd
My thoughts are with the family of Jay Bouchard as I read the Obituary. I was a colleague of Jay’ when we both served as District Superintendents. We both traveled to the State Education Department on a monthly basis to meet with the Commissioner of Education to help implement regulations and help our component school districts.
Jay was a professional educator, who was always trying to improve the schools in his BOCES area. He especially wanted the rural schools to have as many advantages as the larger, wealthier school districts. He was a positive person, who practiced collaboration, setting high standards, and always putting students first. It was my pleasure to work with him.
Jay Bouchard was a fine educator, who cared deeply about his family. May he rest In Peace!